Dauberny could not control a sudden start; but he affected an air of tranquillity, and replied:
"I haven't the faintest idea what you mean, monsieur. I suppose that you mistake me for somebody else."
"No, I know you quite well. Search your memory. You saw me once at your house in Paris; you are Monsieur Dauberny; Bouqueton is the name you assume in your love intrigues! I know you perfectly, monsieur, as you see!"
Frédérique's husband looked at me for some instants, then assumed a mocking expression, and rejoined:
"And you are my wife's lover—the man who lives with her at Fontenay-sous-Bois. You see that I know you too."
"If your wife has a liaison in which her heart is engaged, monsieur, your abominable conduct makes her only too excusable."
"Let us have done with this! Where is Mignonne? Give that young woman up to us; we will not leave this house without her."
"I don't know what you mean, and I order you to leave the house."
Instead of complying, Balloquet and I walked up to Monsieur Dauberny, and I held before his eyes the hand in which was Annette's ring.